Citizen Diplomat Award

About the Award

The Global Ties U.S. Citizen Diplomat Award honors individuals and institutions for outstanding achievements in furthering the cause of international understanding and global engagement. Nominees are motivated by a deep understanding of world issues and committed to the exchange of persons and ideas.

Awardees are selected from a broad range of fields, including the arts, culture, government service, science, media, business, and education. The award is presented at the Global Ties U.S. National Meeting and accompanied by an acceptance speech to an audience of nearly 1,000.

Who can submit a nomination?

Any current or former staff member associated with a Community-Based Member, National Program agency, the U.S. Department of State, as well as Interpreters and Liaisons working on IVLP projects is welcome to submit a nomination for the Citizen Diplomat Award.

Awardees By Year

2024

Daisy Khan, Doctor of Ministry, Founder and Executive Director of Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE), and the Rid-All Green Partnership from Cleveland, Ohio

2023

Justin Powell, Executive Director of the Salt Lake City youth humanitarian organization Youthlinc, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, with special recognition to Andrea Bertrand, the Museum’s Programming Manager for International Audiences

2022

Susan Sygall, CEO and co-founder, Mobility International USA (MIUSA) and Life Pieces to Masterpieces

 

2020

Dave Fortier, Founder, One World Strong Foundation 

2019

Serve2Unite – Arno Michaelis & Pardeep Singh Kaleka

2018

Mohamed Amin Ahmed, Founder, Average Mohamed

2017

Clifton L. Taulbert, CEO, The Freemount Corporation

2016

Seth Goldman, Co-Founder and TeaEO Emeritus, Honest Tea

2015

Richard C. Morais, Author, The Hundred-Foot Journey

2014

Taharka Brothers Ice Cream Company and De La Sol Haiti

2013

Dr. Aaron Shirley, Founder of the HealthConnect program in Jackson, Mississippi, Chairman of the Board for the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation, and co-founder of the Jackson Hinds Comprehensive Health Center

2009

Rick Steves, Author and Founder, “Europe Through the Back Door”

2008

Garth Fagan, President, Garth Fagan Dance

2007

Keith Reinhard, President, Business for Diplomatic Action, and Chairman Emeritus, DDB Worldwide

2000

Richard Stanley, Founder and CEO of the Stanley Foundation

1993

Maya Angelou, internationally-acclaimed Poet and Activist

1990

The Honorable John Richardson, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs and Director of Education and Training at the U.S. Institute for Peace

1987

Senator J. William Fulbright